Spec leak: New 13-inch MacBook Pro, updated Mac mini

No word on new iMacs, however.

Apple is having a special media event less than an hour from now, during which it is expected to unveil updated Macs in addition to a new iPad mini. Reported specs for an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro and updated Mac mini were leaked by 9to5Mac this morning.

We expect there will be build-to-order options for up to 16GB of RAM and possibly up to 768GB of SSD flash storage. There is not yet any indication that the 13-inch models will have a discrete GPU.

Additionally, updated Ivy Bridge Mac minis will also be announced, according to 9to5Mac's sources. The entry-level model will have a dual-core 2.5GHz processor, while the higher-end version will have a 2.3GHz quad-core processor. A "server" configuration will come with the 2.3GHz quad-core processor and two 1TB HDDs standard. Unfortunately, Apple appears to be skimping on RAM, with 4GB standard. There is no word on discrete GPU options on the higher-end model, either, like on the existing Sandy Bridge Mac mini.

The standard configurations will reportedly be:

2.5GHz dual-core, 500GB HDD, 4GB RAM

2.3GHz quad-core, 1TB HDD, 4GB RAM

2.3GHz quad-core, 2x 1TB HDD, 4GB of RAM (server)

Do these specs get you excited? Let us know in the comments. And be sure to tune in to our liveblog, where we will report the full details as they are announced later today.

I would be very surprised if those are quad-core CPUs in the 13" rMBP.

The i7-3615QM in the 15" rMBP is a 45W TDP part at a base clock of 2.3GHz, and the 2.5 and 2.9 GHz clock speeds listed for the 13" rMBP match the clocks for the current 13" Ivy Bridge dual-core Pro at 35W.

I would be very surprised if those are quad-core CPUs in the 13" rMBP.

The i7-3615QM in the 15" rMBP is a 45W TDP part at a base clock of 2.3GHz, and the 2.5 and 2.9 GHz clock speeds listed for the 13" rMBP match the clocks for the current 13" Ivy Bridge dual-core Pro at 35W.

Maybe a spec bump for the 15 as well?

Edit: Wait, does Intel even do a 3.5Ghz mobile quad? It's not on their site.

I would be very surprised if those are quad-core CPUs in the 13" rMBP.

The i7-3615QM in the 15" rMBP is a 45W TDP part at a base clock of 2.3GHz, and the 2.5 and 2.9 GHz clock speeds listed for the 13" rMBP match the clocks for the current 13" Ivy Bridge dual-core Pro at 35W.

Leaked mobo screenshots have the 13" using the same dual fan, single heat pipe arrangement as in the 15" retina, but it doesn't need to cool a dedicated GPU.

Unfortunately, Apple appears to be skimping on RAM, with 4GB standard. No word on discrete GPU options on the higher-end model, either, like the existing Sandy Bridge Mac mini.

Assuming Apple hasn't gone pants-on-head-retarded and kept the Mini mostly the same in terms of form factor this doesn't really matter because the memory can be trivially upgraded. A full 16GB upgrade kit can be had new, from a reputable supplier like Crucial, for around $80 (or less if you shop around). So unlike the newer Macbook form factors with their soldered memory it's just business as usual. It is mildly disappointing that Apple isn't more aggressive there, because while for the even slightly technically minded it's no obstacle it still results in a somewhat worse experience for the many who never even think to upgrade. It's nothing different either though and even 4GB isn't that bad.

Quote:

Do these specs get you excited?

I guess I'm glad the machines haven't been dropped entirely, while simultaneously wondering WTF the hold up was (these should have been launched at least 3 months ago). Still, a basic, competent update does the job and will be good enough. The specs on their own aren't exciting but they don't need to be either, they just need to maintain value for the niche and roles filled. I suppose Apple could choose to do something wild with the form factor which might be kind of neat, but I don't think they care that much about any Mac desktop anymore.

Everytime I hear the Mac Mini mentioned as a "server" I can't help but laugh.

It's actually great in a colo because it provides a lot of power in a very tiny space. When you stick a bunch of them together, I'm sure you actually get more performance than a Xeon because you don't have to pay the Intel server CPU tax. It just depends on if your workload is that well multi-threaded or not.

I would be very surprised if those are quad-core CPUs in the 13" rMBP.

The i7-3615QM in the 15" rMBP is a 45W TDP part at a base clock of 2.3GHz, and the 2.5 and 2.9 GHz clock speeds listed for the 13" rMBP match the clocks for the current 13" Ivy Bridge dual-core Pro at 35W.

Maybe a spec bump for the 15 as well?

Edit: Wait, does Intel even do a 3.5Ghz mobile quad? It's not on their site.

As far as I can ascertain, the i7-3840QM is the fastest quad-core mobile CPU that Intel make. That has a base clock of 2.8 GHz and is so expensive it has no "recommended" price. The next step down (the i7-3820QM) is a build-to-order option on the 15" rMBP and costs $568 per processor in trays of 1000.

Everytime I hear the Mac Mini mentioned as a "server" I can't help but laugh.

Why? Not everything needs to have redundant power supplies or Xeons. It's a tiny niche but they're reasonably powerful (like anything Core i-based), low heat/energy SFF systems. More importantly, despite being relatively small in terms of marketshare there are still significant numbers of Macs out there, even in certain business settings, and that in turn leaves creates a small market for Mac servers. Minis can do the job just fine in a SOHO setting, particularly if paired up with an array. So while yes, it's a small market, I'm not sure what issue you'd have with them either.

I would be very surprised if those are quad-core CPUs in the 13" rMBP.

The i7-3615QM in the 15" rMBP is a 45W TDP part at a base clock of 2.3GHz, and the 2.5 and 2.9 GHz clock speeds listed for the 13" rMBP match the clocks for the current 13" Ivy Bridge dual-core Pro at 35W.

Maybe a spec bump for the 15 as well?

Edit: Wait, does Intel even do a 3.5Ghz mobile quad? It's not on their site.

As far as I can ascertain, the i7-3840QM is the fastest quad-core mobile CPU that Intel make. That has a base clock of 2.8 GHz and is so expensive it has no "recommended" price. The next step down (the i7-3820QM) is a build-to-order option on the 15" rMBP and costs $568 per processor in trays of 1000.

Which customers pay MORE to Intel than Apple? Don't they have a history of getting custom configs (within reason)?

Oh, well. Just bought a couple of Minis at work, and apparently they're obsolete not three weeks later...

(Of course, they were replacements for a pair of dying-by-inches Quicksilver G4s, so a "mere" Sandy Bridge box is ...sufficient.)

Apple are normally pretty good at replacing recently bought items with the newer version when this happens. Three weeks might be pushing a little (people I know/have read about have normally asked for a replacement in a fortnight or less) but it could be worth a phone call or visit to an Apple store.